MUKILTEO, Wash., March 29 (UPI) -- Officials from Pratt and Whitney and Boeing signed contracts this week through which PW4062 engines will power Boeing's KC-46 tanker for the U.S. Air Force.
"The PW4000 engine family that will power these aircraft has an exceptional track record of performance and reliability with numerous commercial customers operating the engine globally," Bennett Croswell, president of Pratt and Whitney's Military Engines division said at the signing ceremony.
"We are confident these engines will continue to perform exceptionally well in a military application for Boeing and for our ultimate customer, the men and women in uniform."
Each KC-46 will be powered by two PW4062 engines. If the full scope of the aircraft program is reached, Pratt and Whitney will deliver as many as 368 engines to Boeing by 2027.
"Pratt and Whitney's PW4062 engine offers the KC-46 program an engine that has proven performance, fuel economy and durability -- qualities that make it the clear choice to power the KC-46 Tanker," Maureen Dougherty, Boeing vice president and KC-46 program manager said.
"These engines bring tremendous capability to the KC-46, which supports superior multi-role mission performance by delivering more fuel, transporting more passengers and cargo, and offering enhanced aeromedical capabilities to our United States Air Force customer."
Each PW4062 engine's fan blade is 94-inches in diameter. Each engine delivers 62,000 pounds of thrust.
